That approval
be given to an increase in the maximum New Homes Bonus micro grant
from £1,000 to £2,000.

(b)Reason(s) for Decision(s)

To
continue to provide financial assistance to smaller Parishes who
had been unable to benefit from the larger project grants and to
voluntary/community sector organisations.

(c)Alternative Options Considered

To retain the current grant
level, but members felt that an increase could be justified.

(d)Relevant Scrutiny Committee

Finance and Services.

(e)Conflicts of Interest / Dispensation(s)

None.

Minutes:

Members recalled that in June, 2017, approval
had been given to the introduction of a micro grant scheme to run
alongside the already established New Homes Bonus (NHB) project
grants scheme. The micro grant scheme
helped to mitigate the loss of the Aylesbury Vale Community Chest
funding and also increase access to the NHB initiative to all
Parishes, not just those larger Parishes taking growth. Micro grants also enabled voluntary and community
organisations to apply for funding where the relevant Parish
supported the proposal. Up to
£1,000 per project was currently available for a variety of
projects, including village hall refurbishment and the purchase of
new equipment.

The applications were assessed by the
Council’s Grants Officer and the level of funding was
determined by a scoring system. The
Grants Officer’s recommendations were sent to the Cabinet
Member for Finance and Resources and a nominated representative
from the Aylesbury Vale Association of Local Councils for
confirmation. The budget for the micro
grants scheme was met from the existing 20% NHB allocation set
aside for Town and Parish Councils, which equated to £80,000
pa in 2017/18 and 2018/19.

Cabinet received a schedule detailing the 60
grants made so far via the scheme.
Monitoring feedback had demonstrated that the funding was
appreciated by the smaller Parishes and voluntary/community
associations. The number of
applications received was comparable to those received under the
Community Chest scheme. The micro
grants scheme was however under-subscribed and would be topped back
up to £80,000 with effect from 1 April, 2019. It was suggested and agreed by Cabinet that the
maximum grant should be increased from £1,000 to up to
£2000 and accordingly it was,

RESOLVED –

That approval be given to an increase in the
maximum New Homes Bonus micro grant from £1,000 to up to
£,2000.